Night patrols and fencing for residents after Warstock and Kings Norton fires

Birmingham City Council has brought in overnight security patrols and temporary fencing for residents whose homes were affected by fires on Gorleston Road in Warstock and Hillmeads Road in Kings Norton.

Several property boundaries were damaged or destroyed by the fires, leaving gardens open.

Patrols and fencing

Security patrols are running on both roads between 5pm and 7am and will stay in place for two weeks. Temporary Heras fencing was put up on 20 August to add security while longer-term repairs are arranged.

Council crews have carried out clean-up work, including removing badly damaged trees, some of them on private land where needed. With the immediate clean-up finished, work is now beginning to restore the affected grounds.

Help for residents

The council is contacting affected residents about council tax relief and other financial support. Help already given includes:

• supermarket vouchers for those most affected, straight after the fires;
• clothing, toiletries and other essentials;
• help finding temporary accommodation and rehousing council tenants; and
• daily welfare checks and ongoing support for council tenants.

Council officers have also been based at local community centres, and private tenants and homeowners have been given practical advice.

"Many have been thankful for the support they have received, but there are those who have told me they feel frustrated and want more support. We do hear those concerns," said Councillor Jane Baston, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Communities and Social Justice.

She said more than 40 council staff had been helping to clean the area, and thanked the local community, whose support she described as "overwhelming". The council is working with local organisations and volunteers to coordinate donations for those most in need.